Ultrastructural study of lamellar and nucleolus-like bodies in the harderian gland during postnatal development of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Membranous structures identified as lamellar bodies (LBs) and dense intracytoplasmic bodies referred to as nucleolus-like bodies (NLBs) have been found in the hamster Harderian gland during neonatal stages. Both structures appear between 8 and 12 postnatal days, coinciding with the beginning of secretory activity. LBs in males and NLBs in both sexes gradually decrease in number with further differentiation of the glandular cells. The morphological features of these cytoplasmic structures are described, and their origin as well as their possible functional significance are discussed.